Model girl joins Blue Peter

They never asked Valerie Singleton or Lesley Judd to go through all this.

But Blue Peter's 30th and newest presenter only clinched the job by carrying out an interview on a trampoline.

Former beauty queen Zoe Salmon was not sure what she was applying for when she answered an anonymous advert.

But, after a series of interviews, she was among the final few hopefuls.

Then, the 24-year-old was asked to record a video demonstrating her skills with remote-control cars, handling zoo animals and making Christmas cards.

Only after her efforts impressed the panel was the ex-Miss Northern Ireland, from Bangor, told what the job was.

Even then, she had to keep the news from her family and friends. She said: 'It's been the biggest secret I've ever had to keep and it will be a major relief to my friends and family.

'I'm so excited and I'm really looking forward to all the mad stuff I know they throw at you on Blue Peter.'

She will have a hard act to follow - the popular BBC children's show has launched the careers of presenters such as John Noakes, Peter Purves, Anthea Turner, Yvette Fielding, Richard Bacon and the late Caron Keating.

The new host has started filming but will not be seen on screen until December 23, for a Christmas musical special.